Illuminated sign



March 3, 1931. H. GYILKENNE 1,794,954

ILLUMINATED smf;

Filed March a, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 In venfor 5 152/145 GZE/v/VE.

/2 p wu A iiomey March 3, 1931.

H. GLENNE 1,794,954

ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed March 3, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 vii:

N k 1 l l Inventor a J fifl/VJ'GLE/WVE fimaoi-ih Patented Mar, 3, 1931 PATENT OFFICE HANS GLENN-E, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK ILLUMINATED SIGN Application filed March 3, 1930. Serial No. 432,838.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in illuminated signs and more particularly to devices of this character which are especially adapted for useon taxicabs to indicate to the public when a taxicab is vacant and available for hire but it is to be understood that a sign constructed in accordance with this invention may be utilized for any purpose for which the same is found adapted.

An, important object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth a sign of the aforementioned character embodying a novel construction and arrangement whereby the face of the sign may be expeditiously shifted toa position where it wiil be concealed from view when it is so desired, as when the taxicab is occupied.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a sign of the character set forth embodying means for automatically extinguishing the light therein when the sign is shifted to inoperative position.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a sign of the aforementioned character which will be neat and attractive in appearance, strong, durable, efiicient in its use which may be manufactured at low cost andwhich may be installed on the taxicab with a minimum expenditure oftime and labor.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein r Figure 1 is a view in front elevation showing a sign constructed in accordance with this invention mounted in position behind the windshield of the vehicle.

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the sign in position behind the vehicle windshield.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation showing the sign detached from the vehicle and in operative position. V

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken centrally through the sign and looking from the front toward the rear thereof.

Referring to the drawings in detail and to Figures 3 and 4 thereof in particular, it will be seen that the reference numeral 1 designates generally a substantially U-shaped supporting bracket comprising a pair of vertically disposed parallel arms 2 and 3 and a horizontally disposed connecting portion t. As best illustrated in Figure 2, the bracket 1 is supported on the panel 5 of the vehicle 6 behind the windshield 7 thereof and preferably adjacent the right hand end by the angular members 8 secured to the connecting portion 1 by the bolts 9. The members 8 are, in turn, swingingly mounted on the arms 10 which are mounted on the panel 5 and said members 8 are secured in adjusted position on the arms 10 by the wing nuts 11 threaded on the bolts 12 which connect members 8 and arms 10 together.

Rigidly mounted on the arm 2 of the supporting bracket 1 and extending inwardly therefrom toward the complemental arm 3 is an elongated electric socket 13 having a lamp bulb 14 mounted therein and having electrical connection with the current conductin wire 15 through the medium of the coupling 16. Adjacent the inner side of the arm 2, the socket or fixture 13 is provided with an enlarged portion 17 providing an annular shoulder the purpose of which will be presently set forth, said shoulder being designated by the reference numeral 18.

The reference numeral 19 designates an elongated open front metallic casing or housing 19 of substantially U-shaped cross section which is adapted to be disposed over the lamp 14 and which preferably has its inner surface coated to provide a reflector. If desired, a separate reflector may be positioned in the housing or casing 19. One end of the housing or casing 19 is closed by a flanged plate 20 mounted for rotation on the socket member 13 in abutting engagement with the shoulder 18 formed by the enlargement 17 The opposite end of the housing or casing 19 is closed by a plate 21 having secured centrally through the outer side thereof a disc of insulating material 22 in which is mounted a engagement with pin23 which is rotatably supported in the adjacent arm 3 of the bracket 1. 7

On its open side the casing 19 is provided with upper and lower inwardly extending integral flanges 245 against the inner side of which is disposed a sign panel 25 having suitable indicia thereon such as the word Vacant; The sign panel 25 is maintained in position against the flanges 24: through the medium of the clips 26 mounted on the'longi tudinally extending bolts 27 which are rigidly mounted on one of the arms and eX- threaded through the end plates 20 and 21 and adapted to draw the same securely into the opposite end of the casing 19. H V

I The insulatingdi-sc22 has embedded there in acontact pin 28 which extends through the end plate 21 as clearly illustratedin Figure l of the drawings. The pin 28 is provided with arecessed head for the reception of-a contactmember- 29 which projects slidably through the arm 3 of the bracket 1. andis mounted on the spring arm 30 which is mounted on said arm 3 of the bracket. lVhile the wiring has not been-shown, the arm. 30,

contact element 29 and the pin 28 are interposed in the circuit which conducts electric current to the lamp 14. Thus when the sign is shifted to operative position as indicated in full line. in Figure 2 of the drawings, the pin28 is in engagement with the element '29 and the electric circuit to the, lamp ldgis automatically completed and said lamp is illuminated. JV-hen the sign is swung to the position indicated in broken lines. in Figure 2 of the drawings,the pin 28 is disengaged from the element 29 andthe lamp 14: extinguished; To facilitate the operation of the sign, a handle member 31 is provided on the rear thereof. Should it be desired to move'the entire sign including the supporting brackets 1 from view through the windshield 7 of the vehicle, this may be accomplished by loosening the wing nuts 11 and swinging "the brackets downwardly onthe, supporting arms 10 after Which the wing nuts 11 may be again tightened and the device secured in lowered position, as will be apparent. V

It is believed that the many advantages of anilluminated sign constructed in ace rdance with this invention will be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, it is tobe understood that changes in the details of construction may be had which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed. v

What is claimed is 1. An illuminated sign of the character described comprising a substantially lJ-shaped supporting bracket, a lamp socket rigidly mounted on the bracket and extendinginwardly' therefrom, a sign casing enclosing the lamp socket and having one end rotatably scribed: comprising a substantially U-shaped supporting bracket including opposed vertical arms and an intermediate horizontal connecting portion, an" elongated lamp socket tending inwardly therefrom toward the other of the arms, a lamp mounted in the socket,

*an'open front casing of substantially U- shaped cross section extending over the lamp, said casing open at its opposite ends, closure plates rigidly mounted on .the opposite ends of the casing, one of said I closure plates mounted for rotation on theelongated socket. the other of said closure platesrotatably supported on theadjacent arm of the bracket and a sign panelmounted on the open front of the casing forillumination by the lamp.

3. An illuminated sign of the character de scribed comprising a substantially U-shaped metallic supporting bracket including complemental verticallydisposed opposed arms and a horizontally disposed intermediate connectingportion, an elongated electric lamp socket. rigidly mounted on oneof the arms and extending inwardly therefrom toward the other of the arms, an electric lamp mounted on thevfree-endof the-socket, means for detachably connecting an electric conductor :wire to the opposite end of the socket, an open front metallic, casing of substantially U-shaped cross section disposed over the electric lamp, the elongated socket having an enlarged portion adjacent the supportingarm of the bracket providing an annular shoulder, end plates detachably mounted on the casing, one of said end plates mounted for rotation on the socket in abutting engagement with the shoulder, the other of the end plates rotatably supported on the adjacent arm of the bracket, means for securing the ends plates on the casing and a sign panel extending over the open front of the casing'and adapted for illumination by the electric lamp.

4. An electric sign comprising a. U-shaped bracket, an electric lamp socket supported upon one of the legs of said U-shaped bracket. a sign casing closed at opposite ends, one end of said casing being turnably mounted on said socket, the other end of said casing being journalled for rotation in the other leg of said U-shaped bracket, and tension means for securing said sign casing in display position when turned thereto. I

In testimony whereof, I afliX-my signature.

7 HANS GLENNE. 

